S’Maje Burrell received some welcome news on Dec. 8.
The 2023 linebacker from Texas was told by his high school coach that Ohio State linebackers coach Al Washington had extended him a scholarship offer.
“It felt good, it was a spark of excitement knowing that another good program made an offer,” Burrell told Eleven Warriors of receiving the offer.
He believes he has been on Ohio State’s radar “for a while,” but he had just started hearing from Washington about a week or two before the offer was extended.
“He said he liked my frame and how big I am,” Burrell said. “Basically, just how I play in general. He was in love with my film. He presented the offer to my coach and it was given to me.”
Truly blessed and honored to receive an offer from Ohio State University #GoBuckeyes @CoachWash56 @CoachAllenNCHS @carlos_leggins @NorthCro_FB @CoachWhitmire pic.twitter.com/iZq2aflNeM
— Smaje Burrell (@Smaje18) December 8, 2021
Burrell, a 6-foot-1, 215-pound linebacker, is ranked as the 422nd-best player and the 33rd-best linebacker in the 2023 class per 247Sports’ composite rankings. He has accumulated 11 Division I offers, also including Baylor, Colorado, Texas, SMU and Texas Tech, among others.
He visited Houston, Kansas State, North Texas, Texas, Baylor, TCU and Oklahoma during the fall. He has not yet visited Columbus, but hopes to change that soon.
“I do see a visit (to OSU) down the road in the future,” Burrell said.
Burrell said he has spoken with newly hired Ohio State defensive coordinator Jim Knowles and is optimistic about the defensive scheme OSU will use.
“The defense, I know I could adjust to it no matter what it is,” Burrell said. “So I have good thoughts about it … I like how the linebackers are used. In the defense, everybody plays their part. It’s not really relying on one player. It’s not just relying on the D-Line or the linebackers to make a play, everybody is in on the play.”
Burrell helped lead North Crowley (Fort Worth, Texas) to a 7-4 season in 2021, primarily playing middle linebacker. He recorded 104 tackles with 13 tackles for loss and five sacks. He believes his speed and instincts to break down whether an opponent is running or passing are his top strengths on the football field, along with how physical he is to fill the gap.
Football was important early in life for Burrell, who first started playing when he was four years old and idolizes Luke Kuechly because of his ability to read an offense. Burrell said he’s also drawn comparisons in his game to current Baylor outside linebacker Terrel Bernard, who led the Bears in total tackles with 86 this season.
Burrell does not have a decision timeline for a commitment, but listed some important attributes he’s looking for in a school.
“I think the biggest thing I’m looking for is comfortability and the bond I’m able to build with coaches, and really if I see a future at that school,” he said.
Branch to commit Christmas Eve
After his brother, four-star 2022 safety Zion Branch, signed with USC on Wednesday, 2023 five-star wide receiver Zachariah Branch has announced he will commit at 4 p.m. Christmas Eve.
Branch is down to Ohio State, USC, Alabama and Oklahoma.
See you guys on Christmas eve ! ! @Hayesfawcett3 pic.twitter.com/cFGlpHfFy9
— Zachariah Branch (@zachariahb03) December 20, 2021
While Ohio State was thought to be the leader at one point for both Branches heading into November, that ship has sailed. Barring a Christmas miracle, Branch will likely join his brother and commit to the Trojans. Branch is rated the No. 14 overall player and the second-best wideout in the 2023 class. He was one of the two most coveted targets for the Buckeyes in the 2023 class, with fellow five-star Carnell Tate being the other. Another five-star wide receiver, Brandon Inniss, could also potentially be back in play for the Buckeyes after he decommitted from Oklahoma.
Christen Miller… new QB?
It was definitely a moment where the popular Internet meme of a high school football player saying “they had us in the first half, ain’t gonna lie” would certainly have been appropriate.
Priority Ohio State 2022 four-star defensive tackle target Christen Miller had some fun on social media over the weekend by claiming he had be re-offered by OSU, but this time as a quarterback.
After A quick conversation with @CoreyDennis_ Blessed To Be Re Offerd by Ohio State for QB1 Position #BIA #GoBuckeys pic.twitter.com/Itw837lK27
— Christen Miller (@fatchr7s) December 19, 2021
Newly signed 2022 four-star quarterback Devin Brown was in on the joke, and earned a nice retort from Miller as well.
I knew I was going into a loaded QB room, but now this?! https://t.co/tmL3wKXvdm
— Devin Brown (@dbrownqb33) December 19, 2021
U scared to compete Devin https://t.co/vuGYACHPw3
— Christen Miller (@fatchr7s) December 19, 2021
Miller isn’t actually going to be Ohio State’s next quarterback, but the Buckeyes certainly have interest in Miller the defensive tackle prospect. Ranked as the 107th-best player and the 19th-best defensive lineman in the 2022 class, Miller is deciding between Georgia and Ohio State, and while many have speculated he will pick his hometown Bulldogs, the 6-foot-4, 285-pound standout has been posting quite a bit about the Buckeyes in recent days.
Miller, who did not sign in the early signing period, plans to make a commitment on Jan. 8 at the All-American Bowl in San Antonio.
